Song Qinian felt terrible listening to Shen Chi Yan's scolding.
She had gone so far to buy something, and not only did he not thank her, he actually cursed at her!
Hmph, she was truly deceived by his face back then. Otherwise, with his terrible temper and personality, she would never have liked him. Fortunately, she had realized it in time!
Meanwhile, Shen Qi Wen, observing Shen Chi Yan's attitude towards Song Qinian, narrowed his eyes slightly. Was Shen Chi Yan's demeanor truly an indication that he didn't love Song Qinian at all?
On the way back, as Song Qinian was about to get into the front passenger seat, Shen Chi Yan yelled, "Get to the back!"
Song Qinian frowned.
"I need one hand to hold my phone and the other to hold my coffee. Where would I get a hand to eat chestnut crisp?"
This clearly meant that Song Qinian was expected to feed him.
Song Qinian gritted her teeth and gestured angrily, "Would you have let Secretary Li feed you things when she was here?"
"Secretary Li never gave me any trouble. How many mistakes have you made these past few days? Can you compare yourself to Secretary Li?"
Song Qinian: "..."
His words were so reasonable that Song Qinian found no grounds to refute him.
Seeing this, Gao Kun Lun immediately chimed in, "Miss Song, you should really sit in the back. I'm not quite used to you sitting next to me, hehe, it might affect my driving!"
With that said, if Song Qinian refused to sit in the back, she would seem unreasonable and ungrateful.
Oh well!
It was just a matter of sitting in the front or back, not a big deal.
Thus, Song Qinian got into the car and sat beside Shen Chi Yan, but she deliberately maintained a distance from him, one on the far left and the other on the far right, as if a river and a boundary had been drawn between them, with neither allowed to cross.
Shen Chi Yan's displeasure grew upon seeing this.
As the car slowly moved, Shen Chi Yan said coldly, "Chestnut crisp."
Song Qinian took out a chestnut crisp and offered it to Shen Chi Yan's mouth. Shen Chi Yan took a bite from Song Qinian's hand, and his mood improved slightly.
Seeing his smug expression, Song Qinian playfully patted Shen Chi Yan with feigned horror.
Shen Chi Yan frowned and looked at her, "What is it?"
Song Qinian gestured with a speechless expression, "I just went to the restroom, and I think I forgot to wash my hands!"
Shen Chi Yan's handsome face instantly darkened at a visible speed.
Fearing a third world war, Gao Kun Lun quickly changed the subject, "Fifth Master, it's getting late. You must be hungry. Shall we go eat hot pot?"
Upon hearing hot pot, Song Qinian's eyes lit up.
Come to think of it, she hadn't eaten hot pot in a long time. Hot pot on a snowy day would be perfect.
Shen Chi Yan gave Song Qinian a cool glance, "You haven't eaten yet, and you're already drooling. If only you were this enthusiastic about work."
Gao Kun Lun cautiously asked, "So, are we going?"
Just as Shen Chi Yan was about to reply, his phone suddenly rang. It was Lin Qiutong.
Shen Chi Yan's brow twitched imperceptibly, but he still answered, "Qiuqiu..."
"Ah Yan, I have something very urgent and important to discuss with you. I'm waiting for you at Milosun Restaurant."
With that, Lin Qiutong hung up.
Despite the short conversation, Shen Chi Yan could sense that Lin Qiutong's emotions were not right.
He didn't look at Song Qinian anymore and said faintly, "I have something to attend to. You guys go ahead and eat."
After that, the atmosphere in the car suddenly turned cold.
Gao Kun Lun felt utterly dismayed. Miss Lin's call, why now of all times? It had to be intentional!
Seeing Song Qinian looking out the window, Gao Kun Lun didn't know what she was thinking, so he gave a dry laugh, "Miss Song, then we..."
Song Qinian turned back and gestured with a smile to Gao Kun Lun, "I'm quite tired today. Let's do it another time."
"Alright, hehe..."
"Drop me off at the next intersection. It'll be closer if I take a taxi back."
Gao Kun Lun glanced at Shen Chi Yan. Shen Chi Yan coldly said, "Head directly to Qilixiangdu."
Shen Chi Yan's domineering command made Song Qinian purse her lips, and she didn't object further.
She'd just consider it a free ride.
When Song Qinian returned home, dragging her tired body, she saw an unexpected person at the door.
Guan Mingxu!
Upon seeing Song Qinian, Guan Mingxu smiled and waved at her, "Xiao Niannian."
Song Qinian was surprised that Guan Mingxu had found her place, but she couldn't let him stand outside chatting. So, she opened the door and invited Guan Mingxu in.
After taking off her coat, Song Qinian gestured, "How long have you been here? Why didn't you message me?"
Guan Mingxu looked around the apartment and smiled, "Not long! I didn't want to bother you since I figured you'd be busy."
"Make yourself comfortable. What would you like to drink?"
"Anything is fine, I'm not picky. By the way, you're back so late, have you eaten?"
Song Qinian shook her head. She had planned to order takeout upon arriving home.
"How about Luosifen hot pot? You have to eat hot pot on a snowy day."
Song Qinian looked at Guan Mingxu, her feelings complicated.
Guan Mingxu smiled, "It's okay, just treat me as a friend, don't put too much pressure on yourself. Although I know you're divorced and I have thought about pursuing you, I want you to feel more at ease when you're with me. Otherwise, if I cause you stress and discomfort, it would be my fault."
Guan Mingxu knew very well that Shen Chi Yan didn't love Song Qinian and that they would divorce sooner or later.
When he learned this news, he was not surprised at all. On the contrary, he felt a bit excited and relieved.
His first thought was that Song Qinian had finally come to her senses. His second thought was whether he had a chance. Immediately after, he became uneasy and thus came to find her.
However, he wanted Song Qinian to be happy and joyful, not burdened with pressure.
Hearing Guan Mingxu's words, Song Qinian breathed a sigh of relief and nodded with a smile.
The takeout arrived quickly. Guan Mingxu helped Song Qinian move the table to the window, and they ate Luosifen hot pot while admiring the snowy scenery.
For Song Qinian, a delicious meal could mend all unhappiness and sadness.
Guan Mingxu didn't mention her divorce from Shen Chi Yan again and instead chatted with her about many amusing anecdotes.
Although Guan Mingxu was younger than Song Qinian, he always thought of her well-being. After the meal, he even helped Song Qinian check her security.
When he was leaving, he hung his clothes on Song Qinian's balcony.
Song Qinian was a bit surprised by his actions.
"It's too dangerous for a single woman. Hanging men's clothes will let people know you're not alone, so they won't dare to bother you. Uh... next time I come, I'll bring a pair of shoes, pants, and a tie. You should also place a pair of men's shoes by your door."
Song Qinian felt that Guan Mingxu's reasoning made sense. She couldn't speak, and if something happened, she wouldn't be able to call out. It was indeed necessary to take precautions.
As he was about to leave, Guan Mingxu said reluctantly, "Xiao Niannian, can I come to see you again next time?"
He asked very tentatively, as if afraid Song Qinian would refuse. Song Qinian smiled and gestured, "You're my friend, of course, you can come visit me."
Her intention was quite clear: she only saw him as a friend.
Guan Mingxu's heart ached, but if he could be her friend and stay by her side, then he would rather accompany her and protect her as a friend.